ENH274

Calophyllum inophyllum: Beauty Leaf1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

1. This document is ENH274, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised March 2007. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

IntroductionThis upright, pyramidal, densely foliated evergreen tree can reach 60 feet in height in the forest with a 30- to 40-foot spread, but is generally much smaller because it grows slowly. This is an asset in tropical landscapes, where many other plants grow so fast. Greenish, showy, .75-inch, very fragrant flowers are produced on eight-inch racemes in the summer. The round, yellow, 1.5-inch-wide fruit contains a single seed with a nutlike kernel that may be poisonous. The seven-inch-long, glossy, dark green, stiff, leathery leaves have numerous, distinct parallel veins at right angles to the midrib. The trunk has light grey, shallowly ridged bark, and the wood is valued for boat building and cabinet work.

General InformationScientific name: Calophyllum inophyllumPronunciation: kal-oh-FILL-um EYE-no-fill-umCommon name(s): Beauty LeafFamily: ClusiaceaeUSDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)Origin: not native to North AmericaInvasive potential: has been evaluated using the UF/IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (Fox et al. 2005). This species is not docu-mented in any undisturbed natural areas in Florida. Thus, it is not considered a problem species and may be used in Florida.Uses: sidewalk cutout (tree pit); reclamation; specimen; street without sidewalk; deck or patio; screen; shade; hedge; espalier; parking lot island 100–200 sq. ft.; parking lot island > 200 sq. ft.; tree lawn 4–6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft. wide; urban tolerant; highway median; container or planterAvailability: not native to North America

DescriptionHeight: 35 to 50 feetSpread: 30 to 50 feetCrown uniformity: irregularCrown shape: pyramidal, roundCrown density: denseGrowth rate: moderateTexture: coarse

Figure 1. Middle-aged Calophyllum inophyllum: Beauty LeafCredits: Ed Gilman

2Calophyllum inophyllum: Beauty Leaf

FoliageLeaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)Leaf type: simpleLeaf margin: entireLeaf shape: oblong, elliptic (oval)Leaf venation: pinnateLeaf type and persistence: evergreen, broadleaf evergreenLeaf blade length: 4 to 8 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: no color changeFall characteristic: not showy

FlowerFlower color: white/cream/grayFlower characteristics: showy

FruitFruit shape: roundFruit length: 1 to 3 inchesFruit covering: dry or hardFruit color: greenFruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and BranchesTrunk/bark/branches: branches droop; showy; typically one trunk; thornsPruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistantCurrent year twig color: greenCurrent year twig thickness: thickWood specific gravity: unknown

CultureLight requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shadeSoil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drainedDrought tolerance: highAerosol salt tolerance: high

OtherRoots: not a problemWinter interest: noOutstanding tree: yesOzone sensitivity: unknownVerticillium wilt susceptibility: unknownPest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and ManagementBeauty leaf makes a good specimen, street, parking lot, or shade tree and is both wind and salt tolerant, making it especially useful for coastal locations. It becomes twisted and contorted when exposed to constant wind, creating an interesting specimen. Beauty leaf is sometimes used as a tall hedge or windbreak around tennis courts and similar places. It could be used more often as an urban street tree. Remember that the golfball-sized fruit is poisonous and hard, and this could be undesirable in the landscape under some circumstances. The trunk grows to about two feet in diameter.

Beauty leaf thrives in full sun or partial shade on any well-drained soil. It is not tolerant of freezing temperatures.

Propagation is by seeds or cuttings.

Pests and DiseasesNo pests or diseases are of major concern.

Figure 2. Range

Figure 3. Foliage

3Calophyllum inophyllum: Beauty Leaf

Literature CitedFox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker (2005) UF/IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida s Natural Areas. Cited from the Internet (November 3, 2006), http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment.html